Expliseat talks fresh look and lightweight seating
Expliseat unveils updated brand identity at AIX 2025
After unveiling its rebrand at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2025, Expliseat’s Antonio Ficca, Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Communications, sat down with PAX Tech to discuss the reception of the new visual identity, as well as the company’s latest lightweight seat, the TiSeat 2X Lite.
New look, new index
Antonio Ficca, Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Communications, Expliseat
“We came into the show with a series of updates for the market. One had to do with our branding, and we got extremely positive feedback,” he says.
The new brand identity and logo depicts forward momentum. The company has expanded its footprint in the competitive U.S. market, further establishing its global presence and reflecting the company’s journey from aerospace pioneer to full-fledged industry disruptor.
Ficca explains that Airbus also unveiled its Eco-Efficiency Index Standard at AIX, placing Expliseat at the top of its ranking for lightweight seating.
“That index is the standard Airbus developed to measure ecological efficiency of cabin items as a contribution to ecology,” says Ficca. “We have the lightest products in the business. So it was an interesting coincidence to have Airbus disclosing the efficiency index and us sharing that our seat stands at the top of that ranking ”
Wolfgang Wohlers, SVP Cabin Programs at Airbus joined Expliseat’s media briefing at AIX to say a few words about the newly unveiled eco-efficiency and Expliseat’s leading position.
“It is a great recognition,” explains Ficca. “Going forward, every seat manufacturer that is offered in Airbus’ catalogs will have a label assigned to them which reflects the scoring of each seat in terms of efficiency.”
Ficca says this means every potential airline customer will now see where Expliseat’s seats stack up in terms of contribution to the environment and the economy.
“Besides sustainability, weight also has an economic impact,” Ficca says. “As weight savings equal fuel savings, the two things are very well linked.”
Latest in lightweight
Explisea's TiSeat 2X Lite
In addition to announcing the rebrand and placement on Airbus’s eco-efficiency index, Expliseat also disclosed the development of its lightest seat to date at AIX 2025.
Ficca refers to it as Expliseat's lightweight seat for A320 and single-aisle aircraft in general. It weighs six kilograms per passenger and serves as the company's entry-level Economy Class product—similar to what other seat manufacturers offer.
"The key difference is that we have specifically engineered this seat for the benefits of low cost airlines and operators flying aircraft at maximum capacity," he says.
Ficca adds that the seat employs the same technology as the TiSeat 2X, crafted with carbon fiber and titanium for the lightest possible weight.
Ficca emphasizes that while the launch customer has not yet been revealed, this is not just a concept—it is a fully developed seat ready for the market – present on display at the expo. He expects the official announcement to be made by the end of the year.
Ficca also emphasizes the importance of "aircraft seats as assets, not just tools.” He says that while Economy Class seats are traditionally designed as commodities to deliver a service, Expliseat is going beyond.
“By introducing advanced technology designs, we deliver lightweight, highly robust solutions that result in lower operating costs. This changes the paradigm,” he explains. “Seats are no longer a cost, they become assets that an airline invests in to generate fuel savings, maintenance savings and increase revenue, while delivering the passenger experience and safety we all expect.”
Two distinct designs
Last year, Expliseat collaborated with Air France to develop a distinctly premium seat for Economy Class – the TiSeat 2X Prime. The design aims to elevate the passenger experience in Economy, offering enhanced comfort and features. The project is now in its final delivery phase, with the seat soon to be shipped to France, Ficca says.
In contrast, the TiSeat 2X Lite is a different product segment designed specifically for high-capacity aircraft like A321 XLR. He explains that this lightweight seat is designed for high capacity low-cost carrier type of configuration, delivering the most efficient balance of lightweight and living space, both essential.
When comparing the TiSeat 2 Lite seat to the Prime, Ficca says it is important to note that while the seats share common characteristics (technology, materials, primary structure, they are intentionally different as they are designed for a different purpose.
“We are demonstrating to the industry that Expliseat is able to deliver high-end, high-quality products for both premium and low-cost carriers while staying in line with our brand, which is about innovation. It is about lightweight, robustness and advanced technology. We are expanding our portfolio,” he concludes.
